Branch meeting reminder
Our next branch meeting is this Thursday 7th May 2020, 12:00-13:00.
The meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams (an online platform). Many of you will be familiar with Teams from your work, but you do not need a Teams account to participate, as you can join via your web browser.
All members are welcome, and we can confirm that if you are on furlough, you can participate in union meetings.
The theme for the meeting will be: Q&A on Covid-19 measures, incl furlough.
Papers for the meeting and the link for joining have been emailed to all members – please check your spam/junk folder, and contact the branch if you still can’t find it.
You can send questions in advance of the meeting (although we will take them on the day) to unison@lancaster.ac.uk
EDI Consultation
The University’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) team is starting two major consultations on development of a trans-inclusion policy, and work to understand the University’s readiness to submit an application for a Race Equality Charter. The EDI team is keen to involve trade unions in these conversations, as key partners in the broader equality, diversity and inclusion agenda.
Currently Desna & Katie from the Branch Exec are formally representing UNISON in these conversations, HOWEVER, if any of our members with lived experience of these issues would like to be involved in a formal capacity please contact us and let us know (unison@lancaster.ac.uk). We encourage all members to be involved in the ongoing consultation around the development of these areas of work (you can do this without revealing your union membership). More information and contact details are below:
- Trans Inclusion: Work to develop a policy and guidance to support trans inclusion for staff and students is progressing. The EDI Team is currently working to a deadline of end June 2020 for approval and working to develop online solutions to minimise any delays due to COVID-19. We are really keen for all those with experience of trans inclusion at LU, whether personally or in delivering a service, to feed into the conversations and consultations on this. If you would like to get involved, please visit https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/edi/diversity-groups/lgbt/ or email edi@lancaster.ac.uk
- Race Equality: To understand more about what is needed to advance race equality at LU, the EDI Team are mapping what is already taking place against the requirements of the Race Equality Charter (a Higher Education chartermark on race equality). If you have been involved with work to advance race equality at LU or know of good practice elsewhere, please contact Charlotte Delaney (EDI Manager) on edi@lancaster.ac.uk